Rompan Rock
Monday, January 29th, 2007It’s an odd thing to be headed for a Spanish rock concert in the middle of suburbia, especially one that’s hosted by Tony’s Sports bar in Duluth, beaming ESPN, CNN and Fox Sports on giant screens.
But this is where almost every Saturday a group of dedicated enthusiasts make their scene. They don’t call it rock en Español; that’s already taken, and it refers to a much mellower brand of pop rock. That’s not their style. They go after the hard stuff, like shunning a pint for a shot.
So that’s what I did. On a cold and rainy Saturday night, I headed over to Tony’s for “Rompan Rock.”
***
10:20
The e-mail I received a few days before announced a half-dozen bands, busting (Rompan) rock on two consecutive nights. Cuenta Regresiva, UMO, Carrilla Zurda, the Ladrones, F.D.O. (Fuera de Orden), La Suegra, Filtro. I know two of the bands, the others are garage dreams of some, spontaneously making a cameo for two years before fading away, or moving away – same difference.
As I get close to the door, memories of far away rock clubs, from decades I never lived, somehow make me feel at home. I know the Ladrones are the main attraction; they’re on tour, they come from Queens, N.Y., but for what it’s worth, they look as if they just drove to the place from Norcross or Doraville.
The show hasn’t started. Nowhere is it evident that Spanish rock is about to be played. No posters, no signs, just an empty stage and a few mics.
A few minutes later, a bassist gets on stage. As Metallica’s the Black Album plays in the background, he follows along, warming up for the show. A guitarist joins him on the sound check – a good 20 minutes after the show was supposed to start. He loosely imitates Kirk Hammett.
The drummer joins them, making the best Lars Ulrich impersonation he can, trying to get the blood flowing through his hands.
10:45 Cuenta Regresiva
Metallica takes a seat; they fade away as the first band, Cuenta Regresiva, is set, launching into a melodic hard-rock intro.
